Kartikeya

Page semi-protected
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"Muruga" redirects here. For the 2007 film, see Muruga (film).
"Murugan" redirects here. For the people with the name, see Murugan (surname).
For the given names, see Karthikeyan, Karthik, Kartik or, see Karthika (disambiguation).
For the bodhisattva, see
Idaten
.

Kartikeya
God of Victory and War
Commander of the Gods
Kartik Purnima
Personal information
Parents
SiblingsGanesha (brother)
Consort
Part of the series on
Kaumaram
Deities
Murugan (Kartikeya)
Parents
Shiva
Parvati
Brother
Ganesha
Consorts
Devasena
Valli
Sacred symbols
Weapons
Vel
Cock flag
Birds
Peacock
Cock
Texts and scriptures
Six sacred abodes
Other temples
Festivals

Kartikeya (

IAST: Kārtikeya), also known as Skanda, Subrahmanya, Shanmukha and Murugan (Tamil: முருகன்), is the Hindu god of war. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the brother of Ganesha
.

Kartikeya has been an important deity in the

Sangam era. He is regarded as the "God of the Tamil people" and is hailed as the lord of Palani hills, the tutelary deity of the Kurinji region whose cult gained immense popularity. Tamil Sangam literature has several works attributed to Murugan such as Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai by Nakkīraṉãr and Tiruppukal by Arunagirinathar. Archaeological evidence from the 1st-century CE and earlier indicate his iconography associated with Agni
, the Hindu god of fire, suggesting he was a significant deity in early Hinduism.

The iconography of Kartikeya varies significantly; he is typically represented as an ever-youthful man, riding or near an

Surapadma. He is regarded as a philosopher who taught the pursuit of an ethical life and the theology of Shaiva Siddhanta
.

South East Asia (notably in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia), other countries with significant populations of Tamil origin (including Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa and Canada), Caribbean countries (including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname), and countries with significant Indian migrants (including the United States and Australia
).

Etymology and nomenclature

The epithet Kartikeya is linked to the circumstances surrounding the deity's birth.[6] According to the Skanda Purana, six divine sparks emerged from Shiva, forming six separate baby boys. These boys were raised by handmaidens known as the Krittikas. Later, Parvati fused them into one, creating the six-headed Kartikeya.[7][8] Kartikeya means "of the Krittikas" in Sanskrit.[6][9]

While he has 108 names according to existing Hindu literature, he is known by more given names.[10] Most common amongst these include Skanda (from skand-, "to leap or to attack"), Murugan ('handsome'), Kumara ('youthful'), Subrahmanya ('transparent'), Senthil ('victorious'), Vēlaṇ ('wielder of Vel'), Swaminatha ('ruler of gods'), Saravaṇabhava ('born amongst the reeds'), Arumugha or Shanmukha ('six faced'), Dhanadapani ('wielder of mace') and Kandha ('cloud').[11][12][13]

On ancient coins featuring his images, his names appears inscribed as Kumara, Brahmanya, or Brahmanyadeva.[14] On some ancient Indo-Scythian coins, his names appear in Greek script as Skanda, Kumara, and Vishaka.[15][16]

Legends

Birth

A 18th century Painting depicting Shiva with his consort Parvati and sons Ganesha and six-headed Kartikeya

Various Indian literary works recount different stories surrounding the birth of Kartikeya. In

Hindu epic Mahabharata narrate the legend of Skanda, presenting him as the son of Maheshvara (Shiva) and Parvati: Shiva and Parvati were disturbed during sex, causing Shiva to inadvertently spill his semen. The semen was then incubated in the Ganges, preserved by the heat of the god Agni, and eventually born as baby Kartikeya.[6][18]

According to Shiva Purana, asura Tārakāsura performed tapas to propitiate the creator god Brahma. Brahma granted him two boons: one, that none shall be his equal in all of the three worlds, and two, that only a son of Shiva could slay him.[19][20] As Shiva was a yogi and was unlikely to bear children, Tarakasura armed with his near immortality, expelled the Devas from Svarga. As Shiva was engaged in meditation, he hardly noticed Parvati, the daughter of Himavan who sought him as her consort. Indra, the king of Devas, devised a scheme and tasked the god of love Kamadeva and his consort Rati to disrupt Shiva's meditation and beguile him with thoughts of love. Shiva was furious with the act and burnt Kamadeva to ashes. But Shiva's attention turned towards Parvati, who had performed tapas in order to win his affection and married him, giving birth to Kartikeya.[20]

Six-headed Kartikeya seated on a peacock, 12th-century CE

According to the 17th century CE text Kanda Puranam (the

Śūrāpadma, Simhamukha and Tārakāsura performed tapas to Shiva, who granted them with various weapons and a wish of able to be killed only by the son of Shiva, which offered them near immortality. They subsequently oppressed other celestial beings including the devas, and started a reign of tyranny in the three worlds.[8][21] When the devas pleaded to Shiva for his assistance, he manifested five additional heads on his body, and a divine spark emerged from each of them. Initially, the wind god Vayu carried the sparks, later handing them to the fire god Agni because of the unbearable heat. Agni deposited the sparks in the Ganges river. The water in the Ganges began to evaporate due to the intense heat of the sparks. Ganga took them to Saravana lake, where the sparks developed into six baby boys.[8] The six boys were raised by handmaidens known as the Krittikas and they were later fused into one by Parvati. Thus, the six-headed Kartikeya was born.[7][22]

An alternate account of Kartikeya's parentage is narrated in the

Vasishtha's wife, because of Arundhati's extraordinary virtuous powers. Svaha deposits the semen of Agni into the reeds of Ganges river, where it develops and is born as the six-headed Skanda.[23]

Early life

Kartikeya wielding a vel, sculpture from Kannauj, 8th century CE

In Kanda Puranam, Kartikeya is portrayed as a child playing in the

Aum.[22] When Shiva asks for an explanation, Kartikeya teaches the meaning of the mantra to his father.[24][25] According to the Mahabharata, the Devas and gods gift him various objects and animals.[26]

Sage Narada once visited Shiva at Kailasha and presented him with a Gnana palam (fruit of knowledge). According to Kamil Zvelebil, this fruit is generally regarded as a mango.[27] Shiva expressed his intention of dividing the fruit between his two sons, Ganesha and Murugan, but Narada counseled that the fruit cannot be divided. So, it was decided to award the fruit to whomsoever first circled the world thrice. Accepting the challenge, Murugan started his journey around the globe atop his peacock mount. However, Ganesha surmised that the world was no more than his parents Shiva and Shakti combined, circumambulated them, and won the fruit. When Murugan returned, he was furious to learn that his efforts had been in vain and felt cheated. He discarded all his material belongings and left Kailasha to take up abode in the Palani Hills as a hermit. It is believed that Murugan did this out of a felt need to mature from boyhood.[28][29]

War with Asuras

Surapadma

While Kartikeya had powers derived from Shiva, he was fierce but innocent and playful. Shiva later grants him with celestial weapons and the divine spear Vel, an embodiment of the power of Shakti (Parvati), Kartikeya was imparted with the knowledge of distinguishing between good and evil.[30] Shiva grants him an army of 30,000 warriors to assist in the war against the asuras.[31] The army of Devas was led by nine commanders, in turn commanded by Virabahu. These nine men were borne by nine Shaktis who appeared from Parvati's silambu (anklet).[24]

Kartikeya faces Tarakasura in battle. He kills him and his lieutenant Krowchaka with his vel.[24] While Tarakasura was confused on facing Shiva's son as he thought his war was not with Shiva, Kartikeya feels that it is necessary to vanquish him, as his vision is occluded by Maya.[30] Zvelebil interprets this episode as the coming of age of Kartikeya. He explains that Kartikeya believes that asuras and devas are all descendants of Shiva and that if asuras were to correct their ways, the fights can be avoided. He sends messengers to communicate as such and give a fair warning, which is ignored.[32][30]

In the Kanda Puranam, Kartikeya moves on to kill the next brother Simhamukha before facing off with Surapadma in the final battle.

rooster respectively. After Surapadman is killed, he takes the peacock as his vahana and the rooster as his pennant.[33]

Family

Kartikeya and Ganesha are considered as two sons of Shiva and Parvati, with

Shavite puranas such as Ganesha Purana, Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana stating that Ganesha is the elder of the two.[34][35][36] Mahabharata and the Puranas mention various other brothers and sisters of Skanda or Kartikeya.[37]

In the northern and western Indian traditions, Kartikeya is generally regarded as a

celibate bachelor.[5] In Tamil literature, he has two consorts: Devayanai (identified with Devasena) and Valli.[5] Devasena is depicted as the daughter of Indra, who was given in marriage to Kartikeya for his help in saving the Devas from the asuras. He is said to have married Valli, the daughter of a tribal chief.[38] In Tamil folklore, both Devasena and Valli were daughters of Vishnu in the previous birth and while Devasena was adopted as the daughter of Indra in her next birth through her penance, Valli was cursed to be born in earth, though both were destined to marry the son of Shiva.[39]

Literature

Vedic text and epics

There are references in the ancient

epics, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, where his story is recited.[6][47]

Sanskrit literature

Mentions of Skanda are found in the works of

Hindu religious texts.[50] The text contains over 81,000 verses, and is part of Shaivite literature.[51] While the text is named after Skanda (Kartikeya), he does not feature either more or less prominently in the text than in other Shiva-related Puranas.[52] The text has been an important historical record and influence on the Hindu traditions related to war-god Skanda.[52][53] The earliest text titled Skanda Purana likely existed by the 6th century CE, but the Skanda Purana that has survived into the modern era exists in many versions.[54][55][56]

Tamil literature

Ancient Tamil text

Paripatal, a Sangam literary work from the third century CE, refers to Kartikeya as Sevvēļ ("red spear") and as Neduvēļ ("great spear").[61][62][63]

Buddhist

In

Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra mentions Kumāra as one of the eighty gods worshipped by the common people. The Ārya Kaṇikrodhavajrakumārabodhisattava Sādhanāvidhi Sūtra (T 1796) features a section for the recitation of a mantra dedicated to the deity, where he is also paired with Iśvara. Yi Xing's Commentary of the Mahāvairocana Tantra clarifies that Kumāra is the son of Iśvara.[64] The 16th-century Siamese text Jinakalamali mentions him as a guardian god.[65]

Iconography and depictions

The six-headed Kartikeya with his two consorts on a peacock, painting by Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906)

Ancient

Scythian dress, likely reflecting the local dress culture of the time, with a rooster-like bird that may draw from Parthian influence to symbolize Kartikeya's agility and maneuverability as a warrior god.[70] Kartikeya's iconography portrays him as a youthful god, dressed as a warrior with attributes of a hunter and a philosopher.[71]

He wields a divine spear known as the vel, granted to him by Parvati. The vel signifies his power, or shakti, and symbolizes valor, bravery and righteousness.[72][10] He is sometimes depicted with other weapons, including a sword, a javelin, a mace, a discus and a bow.[73][74] His vahana or mount is depicted as a peacock, known as Paravani.[75][76] While he was depicted with an elephant mount in early iconography, his iconography of a six faced lord on a peacock mount became firmly enshrined after the sixth century CE, along with the progression of his role from that of a warrior to that of a philosopher-teacher, and his increasing prominence in the Shaivite cannon.[77] According to the Skanda Purana, when Kartikeya faced asura Surapadman, the latter turned into a mango tree, which was then split in half by Kartikeya using his Vel. One half of the tree became his mount, the peacock, while the other half became the rooster entrenched on his flag.[10]

Theology and historical development

Guha (Muruga)

You who has form and who is formless,
you who are both being and non-being,
who are the fragrance and the blossom,
who are the jewel and its lustre,
who are the seed of life and life itself,
who are the means and the existence itself,
who are the supreme guru, come
and bestow your grace, O Guha [Murugan]

Kantaranuputi 51, Arunagirinathar
(Translator: Kamil Zvelebil), [78]

Regardless of the variance among the legends, his birth is in difficult circumstances, he is born through a surrogate and is raised by a host of mothers, later reuniting with his biological family. According to Fred Clothey, Muruga thus symbolizes a union of polarities.[79] He is considered a uniter, championing the attributes of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism.[80] His theology is most developed in the Tamil texts and in the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition.[6][81] He is described as dheivam (abstract neuter divinity, nirguna Brahman), as kadavul (divinity in nature, in everything), as Devan (masculine deity), and as iraivativam (concrete manifestation of the sacred, saguna Brahman).[82] According to Fred Clothey, as Murugan, he embodies the "cultural and religious whole that comprises South Indian Shaivism".[79] He is the philosopher and exponent of Shaiva Siddhanta theology, as well as the patron deity of the Tamil language.[83][84]

Originally, Murugan was not worshipped as a god, but rather as an exalted ancestor, heroic warrior and accomplished

Kurinji landscape. In that role he was seen as a custodian who consistently defended the Tamils against foreign invasions with the stories of his astonishing and miraculous deeds increasing his stature in the community, who began to view him as god.[85] Many of the major events in Murugan's life take place during his youth which encouraged the worship of Murugan as a child-God.[17]

Yaudheyas
featuring Kartikeya

According to Raman Varadara, Murugan, originally regarded as a Tamil deity, underwent a process of adoption and incorporation into the pantheon of North Indian deities.[5] In contrast, G. S. Ghurye states that according to the archeological and epigraphical evidence, the contemporary Murugan, Subrahmanya and Kartikeya is a composite of two influences, one from south and one from north in the form of Skanda and Mahasena.[86] He as the warrior-philosopher god was the patron deity for many ancient northern and western Hindu kingdoms, and of the Gupta Empire, according to Ghurye. After the 7th-century, Skanda's importance diminished while his brother Ganesha's importance rose in the west and north, while in the south the legends of Murugan continued to grow.[86][87] According to Norman Cutler, Kartikeya-Murugan-Skanda of South and North India coalesced over time, but some aspects of the South Indian iconography and mythology for Murugan have remained unique to Tamil Nadu.[88]

According to Fred Clothey, the evidence suggests that Kartikeya mythology had become widespread sometime around 200 BCE or after in north India.[89] In addition to textual evidence, his importance is affirmed by the archeological, the epigraphical and the numismatic evidence of this period. For example, he is found in numismatic evidence linked to the Yaudheyas, a confederation of warriors in north India who are mentioned by ancient Pāṇini.[90] During the Kushan era, that included rule over the northwest Indian subcontinent, more coins featuring Kartikeya were minted.[90] He is also found on ancient Indo-Scythian coins, where his various names are minted in Greek script.[91][note 5]

Skanda was regarded as a philosopher in his role as Subramanhya while similarly Murugan was regarded as the teacher of Tamil literature and poetry. In the late

Vijayanagara period, when he was accepted as a single deity diverse facets.[77]

Other religions

Mahayana Buddhism[93] Above: Skanda's statue in Anhui
province, China

In

Tang period, and became well established in the late Song period.[96] He is also regarded as one of the twenty-four celestial guardian deities, who are a grouping of originally Hindu and Taoist deities adopted into Chinese Buddhism as dharmapalas.[97] Skanda was also adopted by Korean Buddhism, and he appears in its woodblock prints and paintings.[96]

According to Richard Gombrich, Skanda has been an important deity in

Theravada Buddhism pantheon, in countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand. The Nikaya Samgraha describes Skanda Kumara as a guardian deity of the land, along with Upulvan (Vishnu), Saman and Vibhisana.[65] In Sri Lanka, Skanda as Kataragama deviyo, is a popular among both Tamil Hindus and Sinhalese Buddhists. While many regard him as a bodhisattva, he is also associated with sensuality and retribution. Anthropologist Gananath Obeyesekere has suggested that the deity's popularity among Buddhists is due to his power to grant emotional gratification, which is in stark contrast to sensual restraint that characterizes Buddhist practice in Sri Lanka.[98]

According to Asko Parpola, the Jain deity Naigamesa, who is also referred to as Hari-Naigamesin, is depicted in early Jain texts as riding the peacock and as the leader of the divine army, both symbols of Kartikeya.[99]

Worship

Practices

Kavadi
procession

cow milk as an offering (pal kavadi). The most extreme and spectacular practice is the carrying of Vel kavadi, a portable altar up to 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) tall and weighing up to 30 kg (66 lb), decorated with peacock feathers and is attached to the body of the devotee through multiple skewers and metal hooks pierced into the skin on the chest and back.[101]

Once all sages and gods assembled in

Agasthya to move towards the south to restore the balance. Agastya employed a asura named Idumban to carry two hills named as Sivagiri and Sakthigiri (Mountains of Shiva and Shakti) on his shoulders to be placed in the South, to balance the weight. Idumban carried the hills down south and en-route he placed them down for a while, when he rested. When he tried to lift them back, he was unable to move one of the hills. He found a youth standing atop of the hill and fought with him, only to be defeated. Agasthya identified the youth as Kartikeya and on reasoning out, the hill was let to remain at the location, which later became Palani. Kartikeya later resurrected Idumban as his devotee and the mythology behind Idumban carrying the hills on the shoulder might have led to the practice of Kavadi, for venerating Kartikeya.[28]

Ritual piercing with vel skewers

People also do a form of

Vibuthi, a type of holy ash is spread across the body including the piercing sites. Drumming and chanting of verses help the devotees enter a state of trance.[102] Devotees usually prepare for the rituals by keeping clean, doing regular prayers, following a vegetarian diet and fasting while remaining celibate.[105] They make pilgrimage with bare feet and dance along the route while bearing these burdens.[106]

prasad.[28][110]

Temples

South India
Palani Murugan Temple, one of the Six Abodes of Murugan

Murugan being known as the God of the Tamils, has many temples dedicated to him across

Marudamalai Subramanya Swamy Temple, Kumarakkottam Subramanya Swamy Temple, Valliyur Subramanya Swamy Temple, Vallakottai Subramaniyaswami temple, Thiruporur Kandaswamy temple, Vayalur Murugan Temple, Viralimalai Murugan temple, Vadapalani Andavar Temple, Thindal Murugan Temple, Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple, Balasubramaniyaswamy Temple, Kolanjiappar temple, Uthanda Velayudhaswamy temple and Siruvapuri Sri Balasubrahmanyam temple.[114]

Places of worship dedicated to Subramanya in

Kidangoor and Kodumbu.[115][116] In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, he is worshipped as Subrahmanya, Kumara Swamy or Skanda with major temples at Mopidevi,[117] Biccavolu,[118] Skandagiri,[119][120] Mallam,[121][122] and Indrakeeladri, Vijayawada.[123] In Karnataka, the deity that is worshipped as Subrahmanya where he is regarded as the lord of the serpents in Kukke Subramanya Temple and Ghati Subramanya.[124][125]

Other parts of India

In West Bengal, Kartikeya is associated with the birth of children and is worshiped on the last day of the month of Kartik wherein a clay model of the deity is kept at night before the day of worship (usually by friends) for the newly married couple before the door of their house. The deity is worshipped the next day in the evening and is offered toys.[126] The deity is also worshipped during the Durga Puja festival wherein Kartikeya is visualized as a young man, riding a peacock and wielding a bow and arrows. He is stated to be Kumara, that is, a bachelor as he is unmarried.[126] Temples also exist in the rest of India in Pehowa in Haryana, in Manali and Chamba in Himachal Pradesh and Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand.[127][128][129][130]

Outside India

Kartikeya is worshiped as Kumar in Nepal. Sithi Nakha (Kumar Shashthi) is celebrated on the sixth day of the waxing moon, according to the lunar calendar, in the Lunar month of Jestha. The festival is celebrated by cleaning water sources and offering a feast.[131]

Nallur Kandaswamy temple at Jaffna is dedicated to Murugan.

In Sri Lanka, Murugan is predominantly worshiped by Tamil people as Murugan and by the Sinhalese as Kataragama deviyo , a guardian deity. Numerous Murugan temples exist throughout the island including Kataragama temple, Nallur Kandaswamy temple and Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple.[132][133]

Murugan is revered in countries with significant population of Tamil people and people of Tamil origin including

Balathandayuthapani Temple and Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple, Marathandavar Temple and Kandaswamy Kovil.[136][137][138][139] Sri Thendayuthapani Temple is a major Hindu temple in Singapore.[140] Murugan temples also exist in several western countries like United States of America,[141][142] Canada,[143] United Kingdom,[144][145][146][147][148] Australia,[149][150][151] New Zealand,[152][153] Germany[154][155] and Switzerland.[156]

Festivals

Thaipusam procession

Festivals pertaining to Murugan are:

  • Thaipusam is celebrated on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai on the confluence of star Pusam.[104] The festival is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Murugan over the asuras and includes ritualistic practices of Kavadi Aattam.[102]
  • Panguni Uthiram occurs on the purnima of the month of Panguni on the confluence of the star Uttiram.[157] The festival marks the celebration of Murugan's marriage to Devasena.[158]
  • Karthika Deepam, a festival of lights celebrated on the full moon day of the Kartika.[159]
  • Vaikasi Visakam, celebrates the birth anniversary of Murugan and occurs during the confluence of star Visakam in the month of Vaisakha.[160]
  • Kanda Sashti falls in the month of either Aippasi or Kartikai of the Tamil calendar and commemorates the victory of Murugan over the demon Surapadman.[161]

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ Karthikeya's marital status varies across regions. In South Indian traditions, he has two wives — Deivanai (identified with Devasena) and Valli whereas some Sanskrit scriptures only mention Devasena (also known as Shashthi) as his wife. He is also considered celibate in parts of North India.[4][5]
  2. ^ कुमारं माता युवतिः समुब्धं गुहा बिभर्ति न ददाति पित्रे । अनीकमस्य न मिनज्जनासः पुरः पश्यन्ति निहितमरतौ ॥१॥ कमेतं त्वं युवते कुमारं पेषी बिभर्षि महिषी जजान । पूर्वीर्हि गर्भः शरदो ववर्धापश्यं जातं यदसूत माता ॥२॥ हिरण्यदन्तं शुचिवर्णमारात्क्षेत्रादपश्यमायुधा मिमानम् । ददानो अस्मा अमृतं विपृक्वत्किं मामनिन्द्राः कृणवन्ननुक्थाः ॥३॥ क्षेत्रादपश्यं सनुतश्चरन्तं सुमद्यूथं न पुरु शोभमानम् । न ता अगृभ्रन्नजनिष्ट हि षः पलिक्नीरिद्युवतयो भवन्ति ॥४॥ (...) Hymn 5.2, Wikisource;
    English: "The youthful Mother keeps the Boy in secret pressed to her close, nor yields him to the Father. But, when he lies upon the arm, the people see his unfading countenance before them. [5.2.1] What child is this thou carriest as handmaid, O Youthful One? The Consort-Queen hath bome him. The Babe unborn increased through many autumns. I saw him born what time his Mother bare him. [5.2.2] I saw him from afar gold-toothed, bright-coloured, hurling his weapons from his habitation, What time I gave him Amrta free from mixture. How can the Indraless, the hymnless harm me? [5.2.3] I saw him moving from the place he dwells in, even as with a herd, brilliantly shining. These seized him not: he had been born already. They who were grey with age again grow youthful. [5.2.4]
    – Translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith, Wikisource
  3. ^ Verse 7.26.2 states Kumara is Skanda, but there are stylistic differences between this verse and the rest of the chapter. This may be because this verse was interpolated into the text at a later date.[46]
  4. ^ Not only are king of Chalukyas defined as "Velpularasar" in the Tamil lexicons but the name Vel is expressly stated to have belonged to them as stated in the following passage of Pinkalandai:Vēļ means either the slayer of Taraka, the king of Chalukyas or the god of love.[2][3]
  5. ^ Richard Mann states that Skanda-Kumara may be composite deity linked to Greek deities pair called Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux), given the numismatic overlap in their iconography and similar warrior-god mythologies.[92]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Zvelebil, Kamil (1991). Tamil Traditions on Subrahmaṇya-Murugan. Institute of Asian Studies. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b Kumar 2008, p. 179.
  3. ^ a b Pillai 2004, p. 17.
  4. ^ Dalal 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d Varadara 1993, pp. 113–114.
  6. ^ a b c d e Lochtefeld 2002, pp. 655–656.
  7. ^
    ISBN 979-8-8870-4354-8
    .
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-8-1795-0397-3
    .
  9. ISBN 978-8-120-80045-8
    .
  10. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4525-7892-7
    .
  11. ^ "Skanda | Hindu deity". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  12. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 1, 22–25, 35–39, 49–58, 214–216.
  13. ^ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.
  14. ^ Mann 2011, pp. 104–106.
  15. ^ Thomas, Edward (1877). Jainism: Or, The Early Faith of Aṣoka. Trübner & Company. pp. 60, 62.
  16. ^ Mann 2011, pp. 123–124.
  17. ^ a b Clothey 1978, p. 51.
  18. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 49–51, 54–55.
  19. ^ Dalal 2010, p. 67.
  20. ^
    ISBN 978-1-62055-249-0
    .
  21. ^ a b Handelman 2013, p. 33.
  22. ^ a b Handelman 2013, p. 31.
  23. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 51–52.
  24. ^ a b c Vadivella Belle 2018, p. 178.
  25. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 82.
  26. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 55–56.
  27. ^ Zvelebil 1973, p. 31.
  28. ^
    ISBN 978-8-123-01661-0
    .
  29. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 86, 118.
  30. ^ a b c Handelman 2013, p. 32.
  31. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 55.
  32. ^ Zvelebil 1973, p. 18.
  33. ^ Handelman 2013, p. 34.
  34. ISBN 978-3-447-05472-0
    .
  35. ISBN 978-9-390-06439-7
    .
  36. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 42.
  37. ^ Asim Kumar Chatterjee (1970). The Cult of Skanda-Kārttikeya in Ancient India. University of Michigan. p. 91.
  38. ISBN 978-1-596-82117-0
    .
  39. ^ Handelman 2013, p. 56.
  40. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 49–51.
  41. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 46–51.
  42. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 48–51.
  43. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 50–51.
  44. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 49–50.
  45. ^ Hume, Robert (26 April 2024). "The Thirteen Principal Upanishads". Oxford University Press. p. 50.
  46. ^ The Thirteen Principal Upanishads Archived 25 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Robert Hume, Oxford University Press, page 262 with footnote 3
  47. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 49, 54–55.
  48. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 49–53.
  49. OCLC 29743892. Archived
    from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  50. ISBN 81-208-1260-3
    .
  51. ^ Bakker 2014, pp. 4–6.
  52. ^ a b Rocher 1986, pp. 114, 229–238.
  53. ^ Kurukkal, KK (1961). A Study of the Kartikeya Cult as reflected in the Epics and the Puranas. University of Ceylon. p. 131.
  54. ^ Doniger 1993, pp. 59–83.
  55. ^ Mann 2011, p. 187.
  56. ^ Bakker 2014, pp. 1–3.
  57. ^ Journal of Tamil Studies, Volume 1. International Institute of Tamil Studies. 1969. p. 131. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017.
  58. ^ Sinha, Kanchan (1979). Kartikeya in Indian art and literature. Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan.
  59. ^ "Korravai". Britannica. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  60. ^ Zvelebil 1973, pp. 125–127.
  61. ^ Ramanujan 2014, p. 22.
  62. ^ Balasubrahmanyam 1966, p. 8.
  63. ^ Subramanian 1978, p. 161.
  64. ^ Chia, Siang Kim (2016). "Kumāra". Digital Dictionary of Buddhism. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  65. ^
    ISBN 978-81-208-0702-0. Archived
    from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  66. ^ Mann 2011, pp. 111–114.
  67. ^ Mann 2011, pp. 113–114, 122–126.
  68. ^ Mann 2011, pp. 122–126.
  69. ^ Srinivasan 2007, pp. 333–335.
  70. ^ Mann 2011, pp. 124–126.
  71. ISBN 978-8-1755-1030-2. Archived
    from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017., Quote: "He [Skanda] has been hunter, warrior, philosopher. He is the teacher and inspiration of literature and arts. He is the eternal child, as old as time itself, yet as young as every new beginning. He is the handsome hero and lover, the wise Primordial One."
  72. ^ "Vanquishing the demon". The Hindu. 5 December 2005. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  73. ^ Mann 2011, pp. 123-126 with footnotes.
  74. ^ Srinivasan 2007, pp. 333–336, 515–516.
  75. ^ "The Vehicle Lord Murugan rides is a peacock called Paravani". Gandhi Luthuli Documentation Center. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  76. ISBN 978-0-5953-5075-9
    .
  77. ^
    ISBN 978-9-8147-8666-9
    .
  78. ^ Zvelebil 1973, pp. 243.
  79. ^ a b Clothey 1978, p. 3.
  80. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 3–4.
  81. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 1–2.
  82. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 10–14.
  83. ^ Lochtefeld 2002, p. 450.
  84. ^ Ramaswamy 2007, p. 152-153.
  85. SSRN 2773448. Archived
    from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  86. ^ a b Govind Sadashiv Ghurye (1977). Indian Acculturation: Agastya and Skanda. Popular Prakashan. pp. 152–167. Archived from the original on 5 January 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  87. ISBN 978-81-7154-807-1. Archived
    from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  88. ISBN 978-0-470-99868-7. Archived
    from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  89. ^ Clothey 1978, pp. 45–46.
  90. ^ a b Mann 2011, pp. 101-105 with footnotes.
  91. ^ Thomas, Edward (1877). Jainism: Or, The Early Faith of Aṣoka. Trübner & Company. pp. 60, 62 (see e.g. coin 11). Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  92. ISBN 978-1-135-01373-8. Archived
    from the original on 22 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  93. ISBN 978-1-4008-4805-8. Archived
    from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  94. ^ Mann 2011, p. 32 with footnote 24.
  95. ISBN 0-300-10065-5. Archived
    from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  96. ^
    ISBN 978-90-04-18491-6. Archived
    from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  97. OCLC 275253538. Archived
    from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  98. ISBN 0-19-521849-3
    .
  99. ^ Parpola 2015, p. 285.
  100. ISBN 978-8-7911-1489-2
    .
  101. ^
    ISBN 978-1-0001-8987-2
    .
  102. ^
    ISBN 979-8-2161-5549-2
    .
  103. PMID 31040468
    .
  104. ^
    ISBN 978-1-8510-9689-3
    .
  105. ISBN 978-1-4408-3659-6
    .
  106. ^ Abram, David (2003). South India. Rough Guides. p. 517.
  107. ^ "Tonsure ritual in Hinduism". Rob Putsey. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  108. JSTOR 1461919
    .
  109. ^ "Tonsuring and ear piercing". Government of Tamil Nadu. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  110. ISBN 978-1-482-83462-8. Archived
    from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  111. ^ "Kundru Irukkum Idamellam Kumaran Iruppan". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  112. ^ Ramaswamy 2007, p. 293.
  113. ISBN 978-0-4708-2958-5. Archived
    from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  114. ^ "Famous 24 Subramanya Swamy temples". Tapioca. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  115. ISBN 978-8-1921-2844-3. Archived
    from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  116. ^ "Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple". Kerela Tourism. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  117. ^ "Sir Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  118. ^ "Sri Subrahmanya Devalayam". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  119. ^ "Official website of temple". Archived from the original on 6 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  120. ^ "Sri Subrahmanyaswamy Temple, Skandagiri, Secunderabad". Trip Advisor. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  121. ^ "Mallamu Subramanyaswamy temple". Prudwi. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  122. ^ "Sri Subramanyeswara Swamy Temple, Mallam". 1nellore. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  123. ^ "Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple in Vijayawada, Indrakeeladri Hill Temple". Vijayawadaonline.in. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  124. ^ "Kukke Subrahmanya Temple". Archived from the original on 28 April 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  125. ^ "Kukke Subramanya temple". Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  126. ^
    ISBN 978-9-3840-3058-2
    .
  127. ^ "Kartikeya Temple". Haryana tourism. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  128. ^ "Himalaya's hidden gem: Pilgrimage to Karthik Swami temple". Hindustan Times. 1 April 2017. Archived from the original on 8 December 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  129. ^ "Kullu Dussehra". Government of Himachal Pradesh. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  130. ^ "Kelang or Kartikeya Temple". Bharmour View. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  131. ^ "Newar community observes Sithi Nakha festival by worshiping water sources". Myrepublica. 25 May 2023. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  132. ^ Pathmanathan, S (September 1999). "The guardian deities of Sri Lanka: Skanda-Murgan and Kataragama". The Journal of the Institute of Asian Studies. The institute of Asian studies. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010.
  133. ^ Bechert, Heinz (1970). "Skandakumara and Kataragama: An Aspect of the Relation of Hinduism and Buddhism in Sri Lanka". Proceedings of the Third International Tamil Conference Seminar. Paris: International Association of Tamil Research. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010.
  134. ^ Star, The. "Tallest statue of deity unveiled". Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  135. ^ "Batu Caves". Britannica. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  136. ^ "Tour Information". ICHSS. Archived from the original on 27 October 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  137. ^ A, Jeyaraj (16 July 2016). "Hindu Temples In Ipoh". ipohecho. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  138. ^ "Ipoh Kallumalai Murugan Temple, Ipoh". Inspirock. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  139. ^ "10,000 celebrate Masi Magam festival Sannayasi Andavar Temple in Cheng". The Star. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  140. ^ "Home Page of Sri Thendayuthapani Temple". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  141. ^ "Shiva Murugan Temple". Shiva Murugan Temple. Archived from the original on 14 April 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  142. ^ "Hindu temple headed for banks of Deep River". The Chatham News + Record. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  143. ^ "Explanation of Deities". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  144. ^ "High Gate Hill Temple". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  145. ^ "The London Sri Murugan". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  146. ^ "Leicester Shri Murugan (Hindu) Temple". Registered charities in England. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  147. ^ "Sri Murugan Temple". Official visitor website for Leicestershire. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  148. ^ "Lord Murugan Temple". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  149. ^ "Sydeny Murugan Temple". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  150. ^ "Perth Bala Murugan". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  151. ^ "Kundrathu Kumaran Temple". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  152. ^ "New Zealand Thirumurugan Temple". Official website of temple. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  153. ISBN 978-9814260831. Archived
    from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  154. ^ "Architectural History – Sri Mayurapathy Murugan Temple Berlin" (in German). Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  155. ^ "Unusual sightseeing in Berlin: a Hindu temple beside a highway". www.secretcitytravel.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  156. ^ "Hinduismus :::: Religionen in der Schweiz / Religions en Suissse :::: Universität Luzern". 2 June 2009. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015.
  157. ISBN 978-1-5381-0686-0. Archived
    from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  158. ISBN 978-1-136-50704-5. Archived
    from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  159. ISBN 978-1-56308-576-5. Archived
    from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  160. ^ "Vaikasi Visakam 2023: Date, Time, Significance". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  161. ^ "The fall of demons". The Hindu. 27 December 2012. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.

Bibliography

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Murugan.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kartikeya&oldid=1227364368"